Annual Appeal:

November 18,  2011

Dear Friends of CFC,

How much is the Barrington area countryside worth to you?  Among the reasons you chose to live here is probably the existence of the natural lands that are abundant throughout our communities.  For the past forty years, Citizens for Conservation volunteers have led the way in helping to permanently protect 3,000 acres of natural land in the greater Barrington area.

Championing the cause of responsible stewardship, we have been acquiring and restoring property to create a contiguous greenway along Flint Creek which is critical to the health of our environment.  In 2011, we bought another two acres from Lake Barrington and received an important 11-acre donation from Barrington Bank & Trust.  We need your help raising funds to continue Citizens for Conservation's land preservation that began forty years ago.

Citizens for Conservation doesn't just hold land; we actively restore it to its biologically diverse natural condition, thus protecting our water resources and providing habitat for wildlife.  Hundreds of volunteers donated almost 9,000 volunteer hours to our projects last year.  Having its work performed by volunteers allows Citizens for Conservation to be a frugal and highly efficient, nonprofit organization; our administrative costs average just 7% of expenses.

Community education for adults provides programs about native plants, water conservation, pollinators, and area wildlife.  CFC's youth education teaches children how to appreciate their natural environment as we provide field trips to all fourth grade students through our partnership with Barrington School District 220.

As we begin our fifth decade as the Barrington area's primary guardian of natural areas, Citizens for Conservation is reaching out to the community for financial support.  Please consider sending us a tax-deductible donation so we can continue "Saving Living Space for Living Things."

Sincerely,

Meredith C. Tucker
President

Thomas Benjamin 
Chair, Development Committee